Lab Deputy Urges State
To Back Bioenergy Effort

Fleming

Berkeley Lab Deputy Director Graham Fleming testified before the California Assembly's Committee on Jobs, Economic Growth and the Economy yesterday in support of a California-based bioenergy research facility. Berkeley Lab will coordinate the bid, with partners Lawrence Livermore and Sandia labs, for funds from the Department of Energy to establish the Joint BioEnergy Institute, or JBEI. The partnership would leverage the research, engineering and technical capabilities of the Bay Area's national labs, the intellectual power of local research universities, and the strengths of California's life sciences industry.  The Committee on Jobs passed a resolution authored by Vice Chair Guy Houston proclaiming the Assembly's support for the partnership application to DOE.  The full Assembly will consider it next. Read Fleming's remarks here.

The Lab's Library is looking to acquire a license for SciFinder's Chemical Abstracts Service, an online tool that enables searches of nearly a century's worth of research. SciFinder allows users to explore chemical structures and biological sequences, search databases relevant to topic, author, company, substance and reaction. If 40 users commit interest, unlimited access to the service would cost about $1,900 per user per year. Fewer users increase the cost proportionally. The professional version of SciFinder features saved sessions and reports, patent searching, and topical alerts to increase efficiencies when developing new materials. To obtain a personal logon-password license, contact Jane Tierney (x4400).

Staff Asked to Learn
About Export Controls

Berkeley Lab is firmly committed to abiding by all applicable export control laws and regulations. Since most of the Lab's work and products fall under the category of fundamental research, they are not subject to export controls. Employees are responsible for export control awareness and obtaining licenses when required. A brief overview of export control is available here. "I expect our staff to be familiar with the contents of this guide so that, when in doubt, they can obtain assistance," said Lab Director Steve Chu.

Changes to Flex Options Are Now in Effect

Effective immediately, the Lab is implementing a revision to RPM 2.23(D) (Flexible Work Options). This policy applies to non-represented employees only. Represented employees should contact their union representative or refer to their collective bargaining agreement.